'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAYACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABcAAEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABxAAAgICAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgMBBAARBUEGEhMBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUGEQADAAMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMAESEF/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwCI3qNHwjjeTp8lWiy5SX02NWcks5iBekiUeoLX0je+4yCWWUrNhzppyuWsI5BTzAB9p3oR6GOoxjA2rUOSHYb6enLPz4RorK8kYLwbUHP/2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Alexander Volkanovski hails from the country that made the 'shoey' popular. Basically, a shoey is the act of drinking beer or any other alcoholic beverage from a shoe. The act was historically performed for a myriad of reasons; as a gesture to bring good fortune, as a hazing ritual, as well as being a general party piece.
In a video released by ESPN MMA, the featherweight king ranked the best 'shoey moments' in the UFC. The list included 'Volk' himself, who did a shoey post his win against Brian Ortega at UFC 266.
Check out Alexander Volkanovski's 'top shoey moments' below:
The video Alexander Volkanovski reacted to was a compilation of shoey moments featuring Tai Tuivasa, Daniel Cormier and Laura Sanko with Tyson Pedro after UFC 278. Also on his list was an appearance by the champ himself.
In the top spot, Alexander Volkanovski ranked Tai Tuivasa's shoey moment where his shoe was filled with beer and hot sauce. 'Volk' put himself in the second spot. For the remaining three spots, he didn't specify which ones took what spot.
Check out a highlight reel of Tai Tuivasa winning and doing shoeys:
In the fight world, the man who made shoeys popular is Aussie-Samoan heavyweight Tai Tuivasa. 'Bam Bam' makes it a point to celebrate his win with a shoey. Now, as if drinking from someone's shoe wasn't off-putting enough, the Australians like to spit in their shoe before filling it up with beer.
What are Alexander Volkanovski's chances of winning at UFC 284?
Alexander Volkanovski is stepping up a weight class, in an attempt to claim his shot at double-champ status at UFC 284. The Australian featherweight champion will challenge lightweight champion Islam Makhachev for the UFC's 155-pound title.
The contest is no easy task for anyone going up against Islam Makhachev, but if there's one person to rightfully challenge the Dagestani phenom, it's the No.1-ranked men's pound-for-pound fighter, i.e. Volkanovski. On paper, all the variables are stacked in the Aussie's favor.
He won't lose his featherweight belt if he loses the bout. He's fighting Makhachev in home territory. If he wins, he will become the fifth double-champ in UFC history. The only downside to losing is losing his No.1 spot on the men's pound-for-pound list.
But the question remains - how good are his chances of winning against an arguably better version of Khabib Nurmagomedov in Makhachev? The official Best Fight Odds betting line has the Dagestani champion as a -380 favorite against 'Volk' who is the +310 underdog.
Volkanovski will have to prevent being taken down, or display superior takedown and grappling defense in this bout. On the feet, he may have an advantage given his striking background. At the end of the day, the fight is an MMA contest, and anything can happen in this sport. Volkanovski has to get through Makhachev's crisp striking and his elite wrestling if he wants to emerge the winner.
